Leaders in health care, community service and arts to be awarded Order of Merit

Ten people will be recognized with the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in a ceremony to be held whenever public gatherings are allowed to resume safely.

Sally Elliott is a very familiar name to generations of parents who attended her famously funny and sensitive prenatal classes at the YMCA in Regina over the course of several decades.

The long-time perinatal nurse counsellor also understood childbirth is not the hardest part of becoming a parent, which is where her free Y’s Moms support group came in.

Hundreds of moms across the city have stories to share of how Elliott’s quiet voice of compassion and sense helped them through the overwhelming and often isolating transition into parenthood by sharing tears and laughter and learning they weren’t alone.

Congrats to the newly minted Sask Order of Merit recipients! I want to especially congratulate Sally Elliot. She’s impacted the lives of thousands of families and babies over her decades of work. She’s selfless of her time and passionate about postpartum care. 1/2

— Nicole Sarauer (@nicolesarauer) June 5, 2020

And on this, I 100% agree. I’d just had twins and was overwhelmed and will never forget the way she gave me permission to be a mom on my own terms. Sally has a gift. I am so thrilled to see her be recognized in this way. Thank you for all you have done to serve families, Sally. https://t.co/vtfB6ts30N

— Tina Beaudry-Mellor (@tbeaudrymellor) June 5, 2020

The others to receive the Order of Merit are:

• Dr. Gordon Asmundson, a well-known psychologist and researcher at the University of Regina;
• Pamela Klein, who has a record of community service with a long list of organizations and currently serves as the U of R’s ninth chancellor;
• Rigmor Clarke, an accomplished landscape artist living in Shell Lake;
• Saskatoon’s Gerald Grandey, a mining leader who has previously served on boards of major potash mining companies;
• Dr. Donald Greve, a family doctor in Rosthern;
• Dr. Lorne Hepworth, a former Saskatchewan MLA and veterinarian from Weyburn who now lives in Ontario;
• Silvia Martini, a longtime member of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce;
• Eloise Sitter, a renowned choreographer and director in Saskatoon; and,
• Dr. Walter Streelasky, the mayor of Melville and founder of the Melville and District Community Foundation.

Lt. Gov. Russ Mirasty recorded a video message congratulating all of the recipients of this year’s Saskatchewan Order of Merit. The recipients have excelled in diverse fields from health care and veterinary medicine to business and public service and the visual and performing arts.

“These remarkable people also share much in common. They exemplify the beliefs that every problem has a solution and that every person can contribute,” Mirasty said.

“They are each deeply committed people whose passion, generosity and excellence inspire others to join them in their vision. They lead by example  and their impact is truly immeasurable.”

Premier Scott Moe also recorded a video message congratulating the Order of Merit recipients and thanking them for their exceptional service and passion for the province.